Bisping knocks out Rockhold at UFC 199

Michael Bisping finally has a UFC belt around his waist. Some thought this day would never come; however, now it’s a reality.

Bisping, who stepped in on short notice, defied the odds to defeat Luke Rockhold in the first-round in the main event of the UFC 199 pay-per-view from the Los Angeles Forum. The knockout gave him the middleweight belt in his 26th UFC fight.

Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold (Getty Images)

He was a late replacement for Chris Weidman, who pulled out after getting injured. In the two weeks leading up to the fight, Bisping was very confident — and even told everyone who would listen that he was going to win the belt — which he did.

Bisping has become Great Britain’s first-ever UFC Champion. This also gives him 19 UFC wins, tying a record.

The 17-day notice for Bisping caused him to close as a +500 underdog, according to the Westgate Las Vegas. It’s the third-biggest upset in a title fight in UFC history.